Shropshire Star

Brian Caldwell hints at continued Shrewsbury Town transfer business

Chief executive Brian Caldwell has hinted that Shrewsbury Town's summer business may not yet be complete as the transfer window nears an end.

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Town have captured 14 new signings so far this summer, paying out money on five players in a busy window as Paul Hurst has overhauled his squad.

The boss had previously stated that his side's business was complete after landing 14th signing Ben Godfrey on loan, but after discussions it appears the Town squad may be further boosted.

He also insisted the club are pressing on at moving out-of-favour pair AJ Leitch-Smith and Ryan McGivern on.

The window shuts on Thursday evening.

Caldwell said: "I thought we were finished and then I spoke to Paul last night and we talked about various things.

"I think they'll be some movement. There always is, probably late on Thursday when it shuts!

"We're looking forward to it closing on Friday morning but there are also obviously players here not playing and it's important we move them on as well.

"Players need to play football and if they're not playing at Shrewsbury it's better to get them on loan permanents.

"Whether Paul wants to dabble again then we'll review that as the week goes on."

Town have handed long-term contracts to the likes of Jon Nolan, Omar Beckles, Toto Nsiala and Stefan Payne throughout Hurst's tenure and Caldwell added there's very much a ploy to look for the future.

"The chairman and I discussed it with our dealings with Paul and we 100 per cent feel we have backed him," the Scot added.

"Where we've had to pay a fee we have and hopefully it'll be money well spent.

"Take Jon Nolan as an example. We paid a fee but he's been outstanding, you can see that from supporters' comments.

"We've now created a team with potential assets. Obviously I'm not looking to sell them but at the end of the day there's now value.

"Look at young James (Bolton) coming from Gateshead, he's stepped up levels and we all trust Paul that's why we've backed him the way we have and provided him the money.

"It's also building a team for the future. We're trying to give them as long term contracts as we can. To have our own players rather than rely on loans.

"There's certainly a market for loans. The number of players Paul identified in January, Nolan's one, Godfrey's another, we stuck and eventually got them."

Caldwell added: "We definitely trust Paul. I take it back to when we first met him, he wanted to take Toto from Hartlepool.

"There was a fee involved. We were like 'why do you want to take someone from Hartlepool?' looking at the league. But I think every single player that's come here has done really well and exceeded everybody's expectations.

"We want Paul to feel like we're backing him 100 per cent and he does feel that way."